“Judgements prevent us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances.” Wayne Dyer

I really wasn't sure what I wanted to write about because this week has just been a mix of emotions.

It’s been two weeks to the day since I arrived in Australia. I don’t have much to tell today but I’ve been thinking a lot. Classes start next week and you wouldn’t believe how excited I am for that. It will be nice to get back into the swing of school and hopefully it will be the stepping ground for building friendships. It’s a lot harder than I imagined it would be but I guess if I’d really thought about it I would have realized going abroad was a lot more than just packing up and leaving. It’s a new culture, a new group of people, and it’s unfamiliar. It’s a lot scarier once you’re here and you realize that your friends are not across the hall from you in the next dorm and you have to completely come out of your shell and meet people, introduce yourself, and try to build relationships. As outgoing as I thought I was and some would say I am, I still haven't quite put the pieces together as quickly as I would have hoped. Am I homesick? Not really. Am I lonely? Just a bit. But with each day it gets better and I can’t wallow in self pity. I am in charge of this journey and as the captain it is up to me to decide how I want this journey to go. I like going to sleep because when I wake up a new day will have begun and the past will remain unchanged but the next move I make is up to me and is my choice. It’s refreshing when you think of each day like that. I’ve only been here two weeks and some may have expected a lot to happen in that time and it has but not in the way I thought it would. I’ve learned a few things about myself and my personality, as well as, made a few changes.
For lent I came up with a number of things that I thought would help make me a better person. I made changes to my diet as well as added on a few things in hope that I would start to feel better from the inside out. It’s been hard and it has only been 5 days. I read a passage that really inspires me to push through;

16"When you fast do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18)

So though some days seem daunting as I try to become better I must remember who I am doing it for.

Therefore, I say all this to say I’m adjusting to being abroad right now and I foresee better days in the near future!

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson
~*Southern gal*~

My first 4 days in Oz

Written: Feb. 12

I’m sitting in Australia listening to music. It still hasn’t hit me that I’m here. Maybe because I haven’t started classes or maybe because I haven’t meant many Aussie’s yet.

Packing was atrocious as expected. I was packing up until the last minute. One of these days I won’t be a procrastinator. Or at least I’ll get better at it. :) Regardless I made it. 23hrs and 3 stops later I was peering out of my window at the golden arch….oh McDonald’s I shall never escape you…from the U.S. to Guatemala and now here…nonetheless…I grabbed my backpack and started on my journey.

I will be the first to tell you overweight luggage is no fun. 4days later and I still have trouble raising my arms. They were not lying when they said you’d have to carry your own luggage. After finally meeting the group we all waited anxiously to see where we’d be for orientation.

Let me tell you when we arrived on the scene the 4H center or any camp center for that matter immediately came to mind… it had bunk beds and all. It was nice though. We split into schools and proceeded to eat lunch...BBQ style….I’m starting to see they are quite fond of those here.

In a nutshell the first three days were cool. Day one we went to the zoo, had a nature walk, and a boat ride. Day two another nature walk and lots of dancing. Day three we went surfing. My inability to swim held me back from surfing but it did look lots of fun and when I become a confident swimmer maybe I will try it again. J

Now I am at my school and I have halfway unpacked. I’ve met some of the older students but most students don’t move in until the following week. It’s so strange being an international student. Several people have referred to us as the “Americans”. Monday starts orientation and I hope to meet some more people soon.

I will say I miss my family and friends but I’m not quite homesick yet. I’m a new kind of anxious. Ready to get this thing started but since I’ve arrived at school everything is just really slow. So I currently don’t have internet in my room which wouldn’t be so bad but I want to Skype and such. This is really nerdy but I really want to get on facebook…lol...by the time this is posted I will have been on but right now I’m suffering from withdrawal…well I’m going exploring soon but for now my analysis of my city is “quaint” for lack of a better adjective. My neighborhood is quiet but like I said the students are not back in town yet. We shall see…

Anecdote of the week:

I was walking to the atm when 3 guys sitting at a table called to me. I didn’t know if I should ignore and keep walking or just stop and talk. I had only been in the city 15hrs at this point and met a total of zero Australians. My friendly side won the battle and I decided I’d stop and chat. Guy 1 proceeded to ask me in a slurred manner, “Do you think I should buy my friend a new couch.” (In my mind I was thinking you stopped me for this how the heck do I know.) Then Guy 2 says “You see my friend got really drunk last night and slobbered all over my couch...just left a huge puddle. I think he should buy me a new one.” By now Guy 3 is eating it up and just laughing. I still can’t tell if they’re serious or joking so I say, “I think he should clean the couch or hire a maid for you.” In unison they agree and I smile and start to walk away while they yell more things at me. In my mind I’m thinking this can’t be normal. Well I happen to meet a lady who stops and chats with me and tells me they refer to these types of men as “yobbos” and that this is not a typical scenario. I think, is anything ever typical with me? Nonetheless it was if these men were everywhere. 3 blocks later I meet them again and they tell me my walk is suspicious…is it?? Who knows?? The moral of the story is if you’re sloshed stay off the streets and when in Australia, steer clear of the Yobbos!!

Oh and happy Valentine’s day!! I’m going to buy myself a huge bag of candy and sing love songs all day cuz this southern gal is still a lone star….One these days some guy will be able to hold handle the reins!! 

Until next time!!

~*Southern gal*~